1
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Perkins CM, Mao Y, Jiang J, Wilkie DJ, Han B, Chen QY, Luesch H, Ali J, Schmittgen TD. Small molecular weight epigenetic inhibitors modulate the extracellular matrix during pancreatic acinar ductal metaplasia. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 736:150496. [PMID: 39128264 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
The pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor microenvironment is distinguished by a high degree of fibrosis and inflammation, known as desmoplasia. Desmoplasia increases the stromal deposition and extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness observed in the tumor microenvironment, contributing to the dampened penetration of pharmacological agents. The molecular and biophysical composition of the ECM during the earliest cellular changes in the development of PDAC, i.e. acinar ductal metaplasia (ADM), has not been extensively explored. We report that the mRNA expression of key protein components of the ECM increases during ADM in p48Cre/+;LSL-KrasG12D (KC) mouse acinar organoids cultured in Matrigel. Treatment of the organoids with small molecular weight epigenetic modulating compounds that inhibit or reverse ADM (largazole, FK228 and chaetocin) dramatically reduced the tissue mRNA expression of collagens, hyaluronan synthase, laminin and fibronectin. The storage moduli, determined by video tracking of fluorescent nanoparticles embedded into the Matrigel, increased during ADM and was reduced following treatment with the epigenetic modulating compounds. We report that the ECM of mouse organoids stiffens during ADM and is further enhanced by the presence of mutant Kras. Moreover, select HDAC and HMT inhibitors reduced the mRNA expression of ECM components and ECM stiffness during inhibition and reversal of ADM, suggesting that these compounds may be useful as adjuvants to enhance the tumor penetration of agents used to treat PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey M Perkins
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida-California Cancer Research Education and Engagement (CaRE (2)) Health Equity Center, USA
| | - Yating Mao
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Tallahassee, FL, USA; National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida-California Cancer Research Education and Engagement (CaRE (2)) Health Equity Center, USA
| | - Jinmai Jiang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida-California Cancer Research Education and Engagement (CaRE (2)) Health Equity Center, USA
| | - Diana J Wilkie
- Department of Behavioral Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida-California Cancer Research Education and Engagement (CaRE (2)) Health Equity Center, USA
| | - Bo Han
- Department of Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Florida-California Cancer Research Education and Engagement (CaRE (2)) Health Equity Center, USA
| | - Qi-Yin Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Hendrik Luesch
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jamel Ali
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Tallahassee, FL, USA; National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida-California Cancer Research Education and Engagement (CaRE (2)) Health Equity Center, USA.
| | - Thomas D Schmittgen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida-California Cancer Research Education and Engagement (CaRE (2)) Health Equity Center, USA.
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2
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Zheng F, Tian R, Lu H, Liang X, Shafiq M, Uchida S, Chen H, Ma M. Droplet Microfluidics Powered Hydrogel Microparticles for Stem Cell-Mediated Biomedical Applications. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2401400. [PMID: 38881184 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202401400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Stem cell-related therapeutic technologies have garnered significant attention of the research community for their multi-faceted applications. To promote the therapeutic effects of stem cells, the strategies for cell microencapsulation in hydrogel microparticles have been widely explored, as the hydrogel microparticles have the potential to facilitate oxygen diffusion and nutrient transport alongside their ability to promote crucial cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Despite their significant promise, there is an acute shortage of automated, standardized, and reproducible platforms to further stem cell-related research. Microfluidics offers an intriguing platform to produce stem cell-laden hydrogel microparticles (SCHMs) owing to its ability to manipulate the fluids at the micrometer scale as well as precisely control the structure and composition of microparticles. In this review, the typical biomaterials and crosslinking methods for microfluidic encapsulation of stem cells as well as the progress in droplet-based microfluidics for the fabrication of SCHMs are outlined. Moreover, the important biomedical applications of SCHMs are highlighted, including regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, scale-up production of stem cells, and microenvironmental simulation for fundamental cell studies. Overall, microfluidics holds tremendous potential for enabling the production of diverse hydrogel microparticles and is worthy for various stem cell-related biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangqiao Zheng
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, P. R. China
| | - Ruizhi Tian
- Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Hongxu Lu
- Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Xiao Liang
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, P. R. China
| | - Muhammad Shafiq
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-0821, Japan
| | - Satoshi Uchida
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-0821, Japan
- Department of Advanced Nanomedical Engineering, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Hangrong Chen
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, P. R. China
- Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Ming Ma
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, P. R. China
- Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, P. R. China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
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3
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Li M. Harnessing atomic force microscopy-based single-cell analysis to advance physical oncology. Microsc Res Tech 2024; 87:631-659. [PMID: 38053519 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell analysis is an emerging and promising frontier in the field of life sciences, which is expected to facilitate the exploration of fundamental laws of physiological and pathological processes. Single-cell analysis allows experimental access to cell-to-cell heterogeneity to reveal the distinctive behaviors of individual cells, offering novel opportunities to dissect the complexity of severe human diseases such as cancers. Among the single-cell analysis tools, atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful and versatile one which is able to nondestructively image the fine topographies and quantitatively measure multiple mechanical properties of single living cancer cells in their native states under aqueous conditions with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. Over the past few decades, AFM has been widely utilized to detect the structural and mechanical behaviors of individual cancer cells during the process of tumor formation, invasion, and metastasis, yielding numerous unique insights into tumor pathogenesis from the biomechanical perspective and contributing much to the field of cancer mechanobiology. Here, the achievements of AFM-based analysis of single cancer cells to advance physical oncology are comprehensively summarized, and challenges and future perspectives are also discussed. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Achievements of AFM in characterizing the structural and mechanical behaviors of single cancer cells are summarized, and future directions are discussed. AFM is not only capable of visualizing cellular fine structures, but can also measure multiple cellular mechanical properties as well as cell-generated mechanical forces. There is still plenty of room for harnessing AFM-based single-cell analysis to advance physical oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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4
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Stilgoe A, Favre-Bulle IA, Watson ML, Gomez-Godinez V, Berns MW, Preece D, Rubinsztein-Dunlop H. Shining Light in Mechanobiology: Optical Tweezers, Scissors, and Beyond. ACS PHOTONICS 2024; 11:917-940. [PMID: 38523746 PMCID: PMC10958612 DOI: 10.1021/acsphotonics.4c00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Mechanobiology helps us to decipher cell and tissue functions by looking at changes in their mechanical properties that contribute to development, cell differentiation, physiology, and disease. Mechanobiology sits at the interface of biology, physics and engineering. One of the key technologies that enables characterization of properties of cells and tissue is microscopy. Combining microscopy with other quantitative measurement techniques such as optical tweezers and scissors, gives a very powerful tool for unraveling the intricacies of mechanobiology enabling measurement of forces, torques and displacements at play. We review the field of some light based studies of mechanobiology and optical detection of signal transduction ranging from optical micromanipulation-optical tweezers and scissors, advanced fluorescence techniques and optogenentics. In the current perspective paper, we concentrate our efforts on elucidating interesting measurements of forces, torques, positions, viscoelastic properties, and optogenetics inside and outside a cell attained when using structured light in combination with optical tweezers and scissors. We give perspective on the field concentrating on the use of structured light in imaging in combination with tweezers and scissors pointing out how novel developments in quantum imaging in combination with tweezers and scissors can bring to this fast growing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander
B. Stilgoe
- School of
Mathematics and Physics, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
- ARC
CoE for Engineered Quantum Systems, The
University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
- ARC
CoE in Quantum Biotechnology, The University
of Queensland, 4074, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Itia A. Favre-Bulle
- School of
Mathematics and Physics, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
- Queensland
Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
| | - Mark L. Watson
- School of
Mathematics and Physics, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
- ARC
CoE for Engineered Quantum Systems, The
University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
| | - Veronica Gomez-Godinez
- Institute
of Engineering and Medicine, University
of California San Diego, San Diego, California 92093, United States
| | - Michael W. Berns
- Institute
of Engineering and Medicine, University
of California San Diego, San Diego, California 92093, United States
- Beckman
Laser Institute, University of California
Irvine, Irvine, California 92612, United States
| | - Daryl Preece
- Beckman
Laser Institute, University of California
Irvine, Irvine, California 92612, United States
| | - Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop
- School of
Mathematics and Physics, The University
of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
- ARC
CoE for Engineered Quantum Systems, The
University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4074, Australia
- ARC
CoE in Quantum Biotechnology, The University
of Queensland, 4074, Brisbane, Australia
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5
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Nakamura F. The Role of Mechanotransduction in Contact Inhibition of Locomotion and Proliferation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2135. [PMID: 38396812 PMCID: PMC10889191 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Contact inhibition (CI) represents a crucial tumor-suppressive mechanism responsible for controlling the unbridled growth of cells, thus preventing the formation of cancerous tissues. CI can be further categorized into two distinct yet interrelated components: CI of locomotion (CIL) and CI of proliferation (CIP). These two components of CI have historically been viewed as separate processes, but emerging research suggests that they may be regulated by both distinct and shared pathways. Specifically, recent studies have indicated that both CIP and CIL utilize mechanotransduction pathways, a process that involves cells sensing and responding to mechanical forces. This review article describes the role of mechanotransduction in CI, shedding light on how mechanical forces regulate CIL and CIP. Emphasis is placed on filamin A (FLNA)-mediated mechanotransduction, elucidating how FLNA senses mechanical forces and translates them into crucial biochemical signals that regulate cell locomotion and proliferation. In addition to FLNA, trans-acting factors (TAFs), which are proteins or regulatory RNAs capable of directly or indirectly binding to specific DNA sequences in distant genes to regulate gene expression, emerge as sensitive players in both the mechanotransduction and signaling pathways of CI. This article presents methods for identifying these TAF proteins and profiling the associated changes in chromatin structure, offering valuable insights into CI and other biological functions mediated by mechanotransduction. Finally, it addresses unanswered research questions in these fields and delineates their possible future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumihiko Nakamura
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China
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6
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Matheson AB, Mendonca T, Smith MG, Sutcliffe B, Fernandez AJ, Paterson L, Dalgarno PA, Wright AJ, Tassieri M. Fully angularly resolved 3D microrheology with optical tweezers. RHEOLOGICA ACTA 2024; 63:205-217. [PMID: 38440195 PMCID: PMC10908627 DOI: 10.1007/s00397-024-01435-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Microrheology with optical tweezers (MOT) is an all-optical technique that allows the user to investigate a materials' viscoelastic properties at microscopic scales, and is particularly useful for those materials that feature complex microstructures, such as biological samples. MOT is increasingly being employed alongside 3D imaging systems and particle tracking methods to generate maps showing not only how properties may vary between different points in a sample but also how at a single point the viscoelastic properties may vary with direction. However, due to the diffraction limited shape of focussed beams, optical traps are inherently anisotropic in 3D. This can result in a significant overestimation of the fluids' viscosity in certain directions. As such, the rheological properties can only be accurately probed along directions parallel or perpendicular to the axis of trap beam propagation. In this work, a new analytical method is demonstrated to overcome this potential artefact. This is achieved by performing principal component analysis on 3D MOT data to characterise the trap, and then identify the frequency range over which trap anisotropy influences the data. This approach is initially applied to simulated data for a Newtonian fluid where the trap anisotropy induced maximum error in viscosity is reduced from ~ 150% to less than 6%. The effectiveness of the method is corroborated by experimental MOT measurements performed with water and gelatine solutions, thus confirming that the microrheology of a fluid can be extracted reliably across a wide frequency range and in any arbitrary direction. This work opens the door to fully spatially and angularly resolved 3D mapping of the rheological properties of soft materials over a broad frequency range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B. Matheson
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tania Mendonca
- Optics and Photonics Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Matthew G. Smith
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ben Sutcliffe
- Optics and Photonics Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Andrea Jannina Fernandez
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lynn Paterson
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Paul A. Dalgarno
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Amanda J. Wright
- Optics and Photonics Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Manlio Tassieri
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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7
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Cafolla C, Philpott-Robson J, Elbourne A, Voïtchovsky K. Quantitative Detection of Biological Nanovesicles in Drops of Saliva Using Microcantilevers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:44-53. [PMID: 38157306 PMCID: PMC10788824 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c12035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Extracellular nanovesicles (EVs) are lipid-based vesicles secreted by cells and are present in all bodily fluids. They play a central role in communication between distant cells and have been proposed as potential indicators for the early detection of a wide range of diseases, including different types of cancer. However, reliable quantification of a specific subpopulation of EVs remains challenging. The process is typically lengthy and costly and requires purification of relatively large quantities of biopsy samples. Here, we show that microcantilevers operated with sufficiently small vibration amplitudes can successfully quantify a specific subpopulation of EVs directly from a drop (0.1 mL) of unprocessed saliva in less than 20 min. Being a complex fluid, saliva is highly non-Newtonian, normally precluding mechanical sensing. With a combination of standard rheology and microrheology, we demonstrate that the non-Newtonian properties are scale-dependent, enabling microcantilever measurements with a sensitivity identical to that in pure water when operating at the nanoscale. We also address the problem of unwanted sensor biofouling by using a zwitterionic coating, allowing efficient quantification of EVs at concentrations down to 0.1 μg/mL, based on immunorecognition of the EVs' surface proteins. We benchmark the technique on model EVs and illustrate its potential by quantifying populations of natural EVs commonly present in human saliva. The method effectively bypasses the difficulty of targeted detection in non-Newtonian fluids and could be used for various applications, from the detection of EVs and viruses in bodily fluids to the detection of molecular clusters or nanoparticles in other complex fluids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aaron Elbourne
- School
of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
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8
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Bush J, Cabe JI, Conway D, Maruthamuthu V. E-cadherin adhesion dynamics as revealed by an accelerated force ramp are dependent upon the presence of α-catenin. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 682:308-315. [PMID: 37837751 PMCID: PMC10615569 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.09.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Tissue remodeling and shape changes often rely on force-induced cell rearrangements occurring via cell-cell contact dynamics. Epithelial cell-cell contact shape changes are particularly dependent upon E-cadherin adhesion dynamics which are directly influenced by cell-generated and external forces. While both the mobility of E-cadherin adhesions and their adhesion strength have been reported before, it is not clear how these two aspects of E-cadherin adhesion dynamics are related. Here, using magnetic pulling cytometry, we applied an accelerated force ramp on the E-cadherin adhesion between an E-cadherin-coated magnetic microbead and an epithelial cell to ascertain this relationship. Our approach enables the determination of the adhesion strength and force-dependent mobility of individual adhesions, which revealed a direct correlation between these key characteristics. Since α-catenin has previously been reported to play a role in both E-cadherin mobility and adhesion strength when studied independently, we also probed epithelial cells in which α-catenin has been knocked out. We found that, in the absence of α-catenin, E-cadherin adhesions not only had lower adhesion strength, as expected, but were also more mobile. We observed that α-catenin was required for the recovery of strained cell-cell contacts and propose that the adhesion strength and force-dependent mobility of E-cadherin adhesions act in tandem to regulate cell-cell contact homeostasis. Our approach introduces a method which relates the force-dependent adhesion mobility to adhesion strength and highlights the morphological role played by α-catenin in E-cadherin adhesion dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Bush
- Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA; Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA
| | - Jolene I Cabe
- Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Daniel Conway
- Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Venkat Maruthamuthu
- Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA.
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9
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Hamilton M, Wang J, Dhar P, Stehno-Bittel L. Controlled-Release Hydrogel Microspheres to Deliver Multipotent Stem Cells for Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1315. [PMID: 38002439 PMCID: PMC10669156 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10111315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of joint disease affecting articular cartilage and peri-articular tissues. Traditional treatments are insufficient, as they are aimed at mitigating symptoms. Multipotent Stromal Cell (MSC) therapy has been proposed as a treatment capable of both preventing cartilage destruction and treating symptoms. While many studies have investigated MSCs for treating OA, therapeutic success is often inconsistent due to low MSC viability and retention in the joint. To address this, biomaterial-assisted delivery is of interest, particularly hydrogel microspheres, which can be easily injected into the joint. Microspheres composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) were created as MSC delivery vehicles. Microrheology measurements indicated that the microspheres had structural integrity alongside sufficient permeability. Additionally, encapsulated MSC viability was found to be above 70% over one week in culture. Gene expression analysis of MSC-identifying markers showed no change in CD29 levels, increased expression of CD44, and decreased expression of CD90 after one week of encapsulation. Analysis of chondrogenic markers showed increased expressions of aggrecan (ACAN) and SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9), and decreased expression of osteogenic markers, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and alkaline phosphatase (ALPL). In vivo analysis revealed that HA microspheres remained in the joint for up to 6 weeks. Rats that had undergone destabilization of the medial meniscus and had overt OA were treated with empty HA microspheres, MSC-laden microspheres, MSCs alone, or a control vehicle. Pain measurements taken before and after the treatment illustrated temporarily decreased pain in groups treated with encapsulated cells. Finally, the histopathological scoring of each group illustrated significantly less OA damage in those treated with encapsulated cells compared to controls. Overall, these studies demonstrate the potential of using HA-based hydrogel microspheres to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs in treating OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Hamilton
- Bioengineering Program, School of Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA;
- Likarda, Kansas City, MO 64137, USA;
| | - Jinxi Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Sport Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA;
| | - Prajnaparamita Dhar
- Bioengineering Program, School of Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA;
| | - Lisa Stehno-Bittel
- Likarda, Kansas City, MO 64137, USA;
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Sport Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA;
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10
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Bonucci M, Shu T, Holt LJ. How it feels in a cell. Trends Cell Biol 2023; 33:924-938. [PMID: 37286396 PMCID: PMC10592589 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Life emerges from thousands of biochemical processes occurring within a shared intracellular environment. We have gained deep insights from in vitro reconstitution of isolated biochemical reactions. However, the reaction medium in test tubes is typically simple and diluted. The cell interior is far more complex: macromolecules occupy more than a third of the space, and energy-consuming processes agitate the cell interior. Here, we review how this crowded, active environment impacts the motion and assembly of macromolecules, with an emphasis on mesoscale particles (10-1000 nm diameter). We describe methods to probe and analyze the biophysical properties of cells and highlight how changes in these properties can impact physiology and signaling, and potentially contribute to aging, and diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Bonucci
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Tong Shu
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Liam J Holt
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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11
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Bush J, Cabe JI, Conway D, Maruthamuthu V. α-Catenin Dependent E-cadherin Adhesion Dynamics as Revealed by an Accelerated Force Ramp. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.28.550975. [PMID: 37645773 PMCID: PMC10461907 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.28.550975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Tissue remodeling and shape changes often rely on force-induced cell rearrangements occurring via cell-cell contact dynamics. Epithelial cell-cell contact shape changes are particularly dependent upon E-cadherin adhesion dynamics which are directly influenced by cell-generated and external forces. While both the mobility of E-cadherin adhesions and their adhesion strength have been reported before, it is not clear how these two aspects of E-cadherin adhesion dynamics are related. Here, using magnetic pulling cytometry, we applied an accelerated force ramp on the E-cadherin adhesion between an E-cadherin-coated magnetic microbead and an epithelial cell to ascertain this relationship. Our approach enables the determination of the adhesion strength and force-dependent mobility of individual adhesions, which revealed a direct correlation between these key characteristics. Since α-catenin has previously been reported to play a role in both E-cadherin mobility and adhesion strength when studied independently, we also probed epithelial cells in which α-catenin has been knocked out. We found that, in the absence of α-catenin, E-cadherin adhesions not only had lower adhesion strength, as expected, but were also more mobile. We observed that α-catenin was required for the recovery of strained cell-cell contacts and propose that the adhesion strength and force-dependent mobility of E-cadherin adhesions act in tandem to regulate cell-cell contact homeostasis. Our approach introduces a method which relates the force-dependent adhesion mobility to adhesion strength and highlights the morphological role played by α-catenin in E-cadherin adhesion dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Bush
- Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529 USA
- Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030
| | - Jolene I. Cabe
- Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298 USA
| | - Daniel Conway
- Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Venkat Maruthamuthu
- Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529 USA
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Hilal A, Florowska A, Florowski T, Wroniak M. A Comparative Evaluation of the Structural and Biomechanical Properties of Food-Grade Biopolymers as Potential Hydrogel Building Blocks. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2106. [PMID: 36140206 PMCID: PMC9495968 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative assessment of the structural and biomechanical properties of eight selected food-grade biopolymers (pea protein, wheat protein, gellan gum, konjac gum, inulin, maltodextrin, psyllium, and tara gum) as potential hydrogel building blocks. The prepared samples were investigated in terms of the volumetric gelling index, microrheological parameters, physical stability, and color parameters. Pea protein, gellan gum, konjac gum, and psyllium samples had high VGI values (100%), low solid−liquid balance (SLB < 0.5), and high macroscopic viscosity index (MVI) values (53.50, 59.98, 81.58, and 45.62 nm−2, respectively) in comparison with the samples prepared using wheat protein, maltodextrin, and tara gum (SLB > 0.5, MVI: 13.58, 0.04, and 0.25 nm−2, respectively). Inulin had the highest elasticity index value (31.05 nm−2) and MVI value (590.17 nm−2). The instability index was the lowest in the case of pea protein, gellan gum, konjac gum, and inulin (below 0.02). The color parameters and whiteness index (WI) of each biopolymer differed significantly from one another. Based on the obtained results, pea protein, gellan gum, konjac gum, and psyllium hydrogels had similar structural and biomechanical properties, while inulin hydrogel had the most diverse properties. Wheat protein, maltodextrin, and tara gum did not form a gel structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adonis Hilal
- Department of Food Technology and Assessment, Institute of Food Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
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